Does anyone know if seeds can be traded to Israel ? I know some had problems trading with Chile last year.
This is no problem , just need to know how to package them so they get through.
Israel
scooterbug
Seeds send to Chile need to be packed very inconpicuously, seeds should not rattle or shuttle, to avoid calling for some authority's attention.
If you have to fill the green customs sticker, please DO NOT mention seeds or anything to do with garden / plant material : leaflet, greeting card, birthday card, photos, will be ok.
I do the same when sending seeds.
Aren't there specific reasons why seeds and plant material are not allowed into certain countries and regions?
Isn't skirting these laws and restictions tandamount to smuggling?
Are there penelties should one get caught?
Not being judgmental, just asking questions...............................
Just askin , ................... didn't mean to get your fur all ruffed up RB.
You didn't get my fur 'ruffed' up as you put it....I was just asking a simple question based upon your origonal question.
In light of so many horrific incidents happening internationally (along with the increased drug smuggling) ... the wars, retaliation, terroristic threats and bombings ... In Russia, and in Israel, of most recent, (that I've seen on the news) Especially with the anniversary of 9/11/01 right here at us ...
Hi-tech has certainly advanced WAY beyond my wildest imagination . . . .
The site below, will give merely a 'glimpse' of insight as to just how hi-tech U.S. customs, etc. truly is ..
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/image_library/homeland_security.ctt/homeland_security.swf
rikerbear, you're right .. There are certainly distinct reasons ... and the penalties can be horrendous.
And, fer the record - nope, my fur haint ruffled nare bit either. Just thot some common sense is in order.
Also, most times, the somewhat 'ease' enabling a package to be searched and confirmed of its
contents .. is far better. I'm sure there are some things that would just seem utterly riduculous to most of us gardeners (sharing seeds, plants, and the like, etc.)
This message was edited Nov 14, 2004 4:42 PM
Chile exports many vegetables and fruits and it does not want to get any pest or viral disease into the country.
I do feel that gardeners are responsible individuals and will not willingly send unhealthy materials neither unclean seeds. Also, getting a phitosanitary certificate is only a revenue exercise....
But, mainly it is burocracy at its most, and yes it is borderline to smuggling but there is no penalty involved: they just retain the seeds and do ask whether the recipient wants the contents burnt or sent back to the sender. YOU WON"T GO TO JAIL , on the opposite, you are keeping someone in a job. That is all.
Yes, that sounds a little ironic, but it is the truth.
I feel I am not doing anything wrong and this is something that any trader has to answer herself / himself as to how he/she is going to act.
Also I do always warn anybody that is trading with me , that the trade will be an international one.
If I am not doing anything wrong, why should I fear anything?.
I just had to get my two sense in. Just make sure that you don't send anything that screams INVASIVE and make sure the seeds aren't fresh off the plant b/c they can harbor organisms. Research about the species should be done first.
Good luck though!
I had no idea this was such a controversial issue. I wouldn't want to get ME in trouble and I wouldn't want to get anyone else in trouble either. I thought so long as there weren't roots or dirt attached, and it wasn't a bulk quantity thing (i.e. for individual purposes only) it was okay. Maybe I was wrong. I just don't know. If anyone wants to cancel their trades with me because of this I will understand perfectly. No hard feelings.
-Julie
No Prob, I can understand customs stopping live plants ,cuttings , with or without soil attached or produce .
In my experience, I've not had trouble with seed trading at all.
§
Oh, I wasn't trying to lecture or anything like that. But you'd be suprised at some of thing people send. Here in MD the sides of the roads are tangles of multiflora roses, japanese honeysuckle, virginia creeper, loofstrife(sp?) and wild grape. All of them are hideously invasive but I still see them being traded all the time.
I guess I just want people to consider the factors first. I'm not against international trading and it would be really fun if I could ever get the postage thing figured out.
How in the world do you send live plants internationally though? Don't they search all boxes and wouldn't they die by the time they get there?
You need a phyto certificate . = Mucho moola out of your pocket.
Consequently , I have never done this. It is more bearable for large businesses .
Okay what cristina said makes sense to me. If it's not going to result in heavy fines or jail time, and I do believe we are all trying to be responsible about what we send (i.e., I'd never dream of sending Carrotwood Tree seeds to Florida!), I am willing to take the risk that the seeds I'm askign for will be confiscated and I'll be out the postage I paid to send seeds to the other end of my trade. If it happened several times of course I'd reconsider international trading at all. But for now, I'm excited about the thought of getting some Calendula for my border. I can't see how just because the gardens centers don't sell it here that it could be so terribly wrong of me to want it in my own garden. Maybe I'm naive. Maybe I'm not seeing the bigger picture. I dunno....
-Julie
All a body can least expect .. is to give it a try tho' ... Who knows?!? ... Things are just really confusing for all of us .. world wide!
And please know, Julie and/or Scooterbug .. that I've not meant to place a rain cloud over anyone's potential 'trade' parades .. please -?-
And some of the reason behind the white list is big business - they can afford to get certificates and small businesses and home growers can not. Also the reason why many people are fighting the white list while big businesses are supporting it. Pros and cons to every issue, as usual. What I can grow in dryer NW IA (like loosestrife) is not invasive but in a wetter area, it may be a problem. I have also read that it (loosestrife) brings a more diverse bird population. So, pros and cons again. Every gardener needs to read and learn about the plants they want to grow.
As for sending seeds, I sent and received seeds from Ursula with no problems. I used the small bubble wrap, cut it a little narrower than twice the width of the envelope, doubled it over the seeds which were taped to the wrap so they didn't move and were spread out the full length to avoid a big bump in the middle, and sent them in a LSASE. They didn't even ask a thing at the PO. Only cost about .80 cents to mail it.
Interesting rationalizations..........................
:) always interesting! If no one had an opinion, think of how boring life would be!
Oh my yes :-)....and how quite the world would be.
Magpye, how could anyone accuse you of that? :-) I'm glad this issue was brought up, because honestly I hadnt thought about it being a big deal. Now I AM thinking about it. I mean, it kinda scared me when you said "the penalties can be horrendous". I mean, I started thinking, here I just wanted to innocently (wuite honestly!) trade a few flower seeds with someone and now I face going to jail!?!?!?!? I'm a bit nervous now since I don't know what would happen. I assumed before that anything not allowed would simply be "lost in the post" (and yes I DID assume that all packages are scanned and therefore if it's not allowed it wouldn't get through...how else do they find all this anthrax and stuff?). I guess I am naive. I dunno.
Here is a link to the United States Postal Services policies.............It lists each country, and each restricted and prohibited items.
Jail would more than likely only be an issue if an item was listed as prohibited or dangerous, not simple restricted. Restrictered items might get you a fine, but little else I would think.
http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc1.html
thanks for the link rikerbear. And now I think I'm going to have to cancel all trades from here on out. It clearly states that all seeds are prohibited. Not simply restricted. Better late than never. Now let's hope that if any seeds that have already been mailed to me won't get caught as the sender could be in trouble (sender bears sole responsibility according to U.S. postal laws). Yikes. I honestly had no idea.
Must go email a handful of people.
-Julie
(((Magpye))) and all you guys, This thread is really turning into a very interesting conversation.
This is great ! No one takes offense here .
We are all responsible for our own actions .
Luv Ya'll to pieces and will go on as usual.
;-P
Just gotta be some benefits in knowing as many of the ins & outs associated with shipping/mailing, etc. - internationally, especially .. As a mere safety net ..
I've got a distant relative in Tasmania .. that I'd like to try to get him some okra seeds. And if they were intervened .. and he'd not ever rec'd them .. after ample time passed. I'd just have to say 'lesson learned' ..
Just can't imagine that any of us are out right outlaws and criminals, for desiring to trade/share our garden seeds and plants ..
I've merely wanted to know all my stuff well in advance ..
I'm a mite kindly partial to having mah wee little life jacket on afore diving off into the deep end, let alone the unknown! Figger I'll be needin' a dadburn parachute afore it's all over and done with .. hee hee hee
This message was edited Sep 9, 2004 8:07 PM
I believe the first time offence penalty for importing agricultural material into the US without declaration is something like "not more than $500".
Most of this information can be found on the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) site. They keep moving things around, so I won't post specific links.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov
Needless to say, importing something on the federal noxious weeds list without a permit would probably incur further penalty.
Aside from the invasive angle, it is also illegal to ship certain items out of the US without a permit, including endangered species and certain agricultural products.
Some of the restrictions are in place not because of any invasive nature of the plant or seed material, but rather due to the cultural/religious ideals of said country. Grains (seeds) to middle eastern countries is forbidden because of the fermintation properties.....just as an example.
I know this as a dear friend wanted some buckwheat sent while over in Saudi and it was very strictly forbidden.
I'm really sorry salvia_lover. I know how it is to really want a certain kind of plant. I've wanted chocolate lily for the longest time and they only sell it in Australia, but I can't find anyone who will send it over here.
Isn't Calendula pot marigold??? That's such a common plant, I'm suprised that they don't sell it over there.
I don't think you need to cancel your trades, just be descreet.
An interesting tidbit of info, if you please.
I saw an article recently about water hyacinths in Florida. Back in the late 1900's a lady brought some in from out of state and put them in her pond (not a closed pond) After a period of time the hyacinths had multiplied and spread throughout the Florida waterways choking everything in their paths.
We do not have the other environmental critters? that help to contain this plant. Since it has no natural enemies here, there is no stopping it.
It cost the State of Florida millions of dollars to clean up and eradicate these plants from our waterways. Although I am well aware of this problem, I took some in trade and was only keeping them in my own closed pond and sending some up to states that have "winters". I am fully aware to not compost, not yard waste bin these plants as they could get out and away.
In conclusion (finally), sometimes there are very valid reasons for laws and/or restrictions, and in this case, fully justified. IMO
Julie, I am so sorry you will not be able to trade seeds with us in the U.S.
Molly
:^)
Yeah, you'd think it'd be one of the most common plants in the pile, but nope, can't find a single nursery/garden center here that sells it.
I do want to cancel my trades for now as I've already completed my end of the bargain with all but 2 people who I made deals with. I don't want them to send to me until I find out for sure what the actual penalties are if Israeli customs discovers their seeds.
If it's only the loss of the seeds, then it's worth the risk of hassle. But jail time for innocent little seeds, or even monetary penalties....it's just not worth the risk.
-Julie
Maybe cause it's used to make wine and medicines??? Only guessing.................
http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/marigold.htm
Could be although it wouldn't explain why countless other herbs are allowed.
Also....there are all sorts of Biblical laws about plant growing and inter species mixes etc that the religious community care about and the secular community couldn't care LESS about...and I'm sure that comes into play in politics between religous and secular - in ways no normal citizen hears about. In any case, I need to do some more homework before I decide to do any more trades at all.
-Julie
Ditto CaptMicha
Julie,
I just did a search for Calendula and Israel.
According to this page, there are at least a couple species which are endemic to your region.
I should think you would be able to find seeds somehow.
http://sites.huji.ac.il/roteml/Endemic.htm
It's possible they don't sell Calendula officinalis to prevent cross breeding with the native species.
I know here in CA, they recommend against growing any alien species of Evening Primrose because they cross so easily with our endangered native species.
Erik
Julie,
I'm sorry this didnt work out. I received your email. if you'd like me to reimburse the postage, please let me know.
Jen
Ever feel like a goliath rotten onion just got hung around our necks? ...
And there's nuffin we can do about it ..
It .. just .. stinks!!
Julie, and others ... There's just gotta be some nurseries, or even mail order seed companies, etc. .. where the seeds you'd like to have can be legally obtained - - Surely!?!
Speaking of which, it seems that one could easily access some of the seed/plant company catalogs (or toll free tel #'s) .. and make a serious inquiry .. as to whether one could indeed order a particular seed/plant .. and have it shipped to 'Israel, anywhere-ville, country, etc.' ... * AND, if so - - welllllll, the traders may would then have some kind of basis to go/grow on, from there ...
Would sure seem worth a shot.
I'm gonna be thinkin' and prayin' reeeeeeal positive fer ya!!
This message was edited Sep 9, 2004 8:29 PM
Julie,
I received your email, tonight. I didn't realize that it would be such a big complicated thing either.
I just sent you to this link so you could advise; not to be advised by others.
I couldn't access the net for a while, cable connection was messed up.
I didn't send the trade yet, so I'll hold onto them till you find out more info.
I'll look things up from this end also. Some seeds are just so common, that you don't think they would be that harmful. But thanks for the email; I just read this thread, I'll still hold on to them for now. I don't want either one of us to get into trouble also.
Robin
Jen, don't worry about the postage. Consider it a gift :-) And maybe when I figure out the whole "penalties" issue, whether there are serious reasons for the seeds I wanted from you aren't allowed, etc,...well maybe you will be able to send me some at some later date. If not, oh well. :-)
Magpye, stop it...there aint no onion around your neck! LOL I've tried going through online vendors and they all say the same thing..."No can do!". That's not to say that vendors who will (and legally can) send seeds here don't exist...I just haven't found any yet. een my local garden center who does all sorts of shipping and importing to and from Australia (as the owners are originally from Australia) won't agree to include a little pack of seeds for me in their next shipment. Ugh! You'd think after I practically needed to take out another mortgage to pay for all the plants I bought from them, they'd be a little willing to do me a favor! grrrr
Erik, thanks for finding that info on Calendula! You're terrific! :-) Now I just gotta find the native species ROTFLMAO. If the garden centers don't know it though, I may hafta go on a nature hike ;-)....careful not to bring back any TICKS! Ick!
Robin, I'm going to keep your seeds for you in case we figure out later that it will be okay to send them. And I'm glad you pointed out this thread to me! :-)
-Julie
Sorry to have helped spread manure over everyones party :-(
I didn't mean to, I was really only asking a question origonally
Marc
so that's what that smell was........... ROTFL
:( yup.................... poop on the party
"Party Pooper" : ^P